They all want to be wrestling stars

Published: October 2, 2000 12:00 AM

Music plays, providing some measure of entertainment for the expectant fans who fill the benches.

A temporary wall has been erected behind which the 20 or so members of the Independent Wrestlers Alliance prepare for battle.

These men, in their twenties and early thirties, all dream of professional wrestling.

Almost all are from around Wayne County. During the day they work at factories and stores and at any number of skilled and unskilled professions.

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But they practice three times a week at IWA founder Joe Barnes' place in Creston. They are in the process of moving the old Studer barn from downtown Orrville to be reassembled on Barnes' property to provide a winter practice spot.

They take their dream seriously because they want more than the day to day grind of soul-numbing employment.

They want to be stars.

Saturday night they are in Medina, putting on a show.

Barnes, a soft-spoken man who goes by the name "Raptor" in the ring, says, "We started in the backyard, really just me and my friend John Molnar ("Virus"), about four years ago. Eventually, we built a ring and after a while we got more guys and it grew from there. Now there are 22 wrestlers, two camera people, three referees, an owner, a commissioner, a president and a vice-president. Now it's a lot of people chasing a lot of dreams. We have some real talent. Hopefully, someone might get noticed and get to go pro."

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James Graham of Orrville is applying blue latex paint to his face. Soon he has winglike patterns surrounding his eyes. His shirt reads "Dark Angel." Graham, like Barnes, is quiet, thoughtful and completely serious.

"My brother-in-law was doing this before I started and he got me into it. It's something I always wanted to do. I've been watching wrestling since I was a kid. I even told my wife when I met her I wanted to be a wrestler. It isn't as easy as I thought though. It's tough, but I found I have more ability than I thought," Graham said.

Soon, the announcer begins hyping the crowd, playing up a rivalry. Some of the audience stand, all of their eyes are riveted on the 16-by-16-foot raised ring.

The music swells and from behind the wall and its curtained door, Dark Angel emerges. He enters the ring and turns slowly, glowering at the spectators.

The music changes from rock to hip hop. "Mister P" or Jesse Wilson of Wadsworth, struts out, all arrogant confidence. He tosses his black bowler hat to the crowd and enters the ring.

Almost before the bell, Dark Angel is on him, aggressively pressing the attack. The fight tumbles out of the ring where Dark Angel smacks Mister P with a sign conveniently left lying around. The combatants climb back under the ropes and Mister P rallies briefly, knocking his opponent down. The referee, Alex Collins of Wooster, begins the count.

From the crowd comes an anguished voice. "Come on, Dark Angel, get up!" The fallen hero hears his fan's cry and rallies. Soon he has Mister P backed onto the ropes. Dark Angel's fists and elbows rain on Mister P. Dark Angel knocks him to the mat and soon is victorious.

The lights swing to illuminate the red and black horrors that have emerged from the curtain. There stand "Demented," "Morbid" and "Sick," (Matt Bratcher of Rittman, Mike Butterbaugh of Wooster and Josh Tipple of Shreve) the IWA's reigning tag-team. The crowd roars. The battle begins anew.

For additional information about the IWA, practice and show times, call Mike Butterbaugh at 330-262-5333.